Discover Tostedt: Cycling and St. John’s Church

Tostedt can best be explored through two main themes: cycling and St. John’s Church. If you’re looking for a hotel in Tostedt, your travel plans can help you decide: would you like to ride a section of the Este Cycle Route, choose the Appelbeck Lakes cycle tour, or set aside time for the church? The routes and sights offer different ways to plan your visit.

Cycling around Tostedt

The first stage of the Este Cycle Route passes through Tostedt, between Wintermoor station and Hollenstedt. Along the way, the route approaches the town through fields, meadows and forests. The Este Cycle Route is about 60 kilometres long in total. From Tostedt, it continues along field and forest paths towards Bötersheim.

When planning your ride, it’s worth considering the condition of the route: sections of the Este Cycle Route between Wintermoor and Tostedt run along sandy field paths. They can be more difficult to ride in wet weather. Signage and surfaces may also change, so check conditions before setting out. This can help you fit the stage into your day while keeping the landscape and route in mind.

Bötersheim lies on the Este Cycle Route near Tostedt. It is home to a thousand-year-old oak and a watermill. These two features provide distinctive landmarks for the onward ride towards Bötersheim, while fields and forest paths define the character of this section.

Another option is the Appelbeck Lakes cycle tour, which starts in Tostedt. At the starting point, the tour recommends the historic St. Johannis Church. The route passes through fields, meadows and forests in the Este valley. The swimming pools in Tostedt and Hollenstedt are swimming options along the tour. Opening hours and facilities may vary by season; check these details before visiting.

Church history and architecture

St. John’s Church was built between 1878 and 1880 in the Neo-Gothic style, based on a design by Conrad Wilhelm Hase. The baptismal font, pulpit and redesigned altar from earlier churches have been preserved in the present church. As a result, the same church interior brings together the architectural history of the late 19th century and furnishings from earlier churches.

St. John’s Church keeps its doors open to visitors during the day. Even so, when planning your visit, check the opening arrangements locally, as this long-standing practice may be subject to change. The church is a specific stop to include in your day, and you can combine it with a cycling tour if current opening hours allow.

Getting here and planning your day

Tostedt has a Metronom train connection towards Hamburg and Bremen. As train services and operators may change, check the current timetable before travelling. When choosing accommodation, it may help to decide first on your planned activities and arrival times. For planning your tours, you can take their different routes into account: the Este Cycle Route passes through Tostedt and continues towards Bötersheim, while the Appelbeck Lakes cycle tour starts here. The two tours offer different ways to explore the surrounding area.

Discover more destinations: Undeloh, Hanstedt, Garlstorf, Appel, Eyendorf, Stelle, Gödenstorf, Bendestorf.

Return to the main travel overview: Harburg.